Izard County deputies on Saturday night, while looking for Greg Stroud who has a warrant for theft relating to the earlier taking of pickup truck from the Sonic Drive Inn in Melbourne, ended up arresting eight people according to Sheriff Tate Lawrence.

The eight people roundup started at the residence of Holly Potter at 802 Main Street in Melbourne when Deputy Phil Story was inquiring about the whereabouts of Amber Wilson, who had a failure to appear warrant; and the whereabouts of Greg Stroud who was also wanted. When Story asked Potter if she had seen Wilson, Potter appeared nervous but did answer “yes” when asked if Wilson was in her residence and that she wanted Potter to drive her to a residence in the Zion community. Deputy Story gave Potter permission to take Wilson to Zion expecting them to make contact with Stroud.

Sheriff Lawrence said that short time later, Deputy Rick Hill observed Potter’s vehicle traveling on state highway 289 toward Zion. After following the vehicle a short distance, visual contact with the Potter vehicle was lost, and it was later learned the vehicle turned in to a driveway and that Potter had turned off the vehicle lights. A witness said the vehicle quickly headed back toward Melbourne. Deputy Phil Story and Arkansas Trooper Jason Hooks initiated a search for the Potter vehicle in Melbourne and when approaching Potter’s house, two males in the back yard when seeing the police vehicle, ran into the house. One of the males appeared to be the same build as Greg Stroud.

After knocking on the door of house for about a few minutes and observing a small child playing video games on the floor of the house, a male identified as Clayton Lynch came to door. While questioning Lynch, another male, identified as Joseph Lyons came to the door. Both were directed to the porch and responded to officer’s question that no one else was in the house. Shortly thereafter a female identified as Christiana Williams came from within the house and subsequently Allen Kipfer and Shane Taylor was located in the residence. The child playing video games was identified as the son of Holly Potter.

Chief Deputy Earnie Blackley reported to officers at the Potter house that he was on a traffic stop near the Baptist Church near Zion and Holly Potter, age 41 was taken into custody on charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and obstructing governmental operations. Chief Blackley also reported that a male subject had fled on foot. A short time later, Blackley located Stroud and place him in custody.

Sheriff Lawrence said that Stroud, age 51 of Melbourne was arrested on charges of theft of property-two counts, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and criminal mischief-two counts. Amber Wilson, age 35 of Melbourne was arrested on a failure to appear warrant while Joseph Lyons, age 28, address not given; Allen Wayne Kipfer, age 28 of Melbourne; Clayton Lynch, age 245 of Melbourne, Christiana Williams, age 21 of Melbourne; Shane Taylor, age 37 of Melbourne were all charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and obstructing governmental operations. Lynch was also placed on a department of community corrections hold without bond. All others are in the Izard County Detention Facility in lieu of bond, except Stroud who is being held also on contempt of court charges.

Sheriff Lawrence said at the time of their arrests Stroud tested positive for meth, oxycodone, marijuana, and opiates. Williams tested positive for cocaine, marijuana, and meth. Potter tested positive for meth while Wilson tested positive for both meth and marijuana. Taylor and Kipfer tested positive for opiates, marijuana, and meth.